Family, friends honor WWII veteran at valor ceremony

Army Staff Sgt. W. Richard Wynn (center) salutes the flag during the singing of the national anthem during a BIg Bend Hospice Valor Ceremony honoring his time spent in WWII on March 17. (Photo: Ashley White/Democrat)Buy Photo

W. Richard Wynn had a deferment as a farmer and didn't have to enlist in 1944. But he did.

The staff sergeant, who was 19 when he left Madison County, was honored Saturday in front of friends and family by the Valor Team of Big Bend Hospice.

"I volunteered because this is my country and I feel like I have a responsibility so I volunteered," the 92-year-old who doesn't call himself a hero said. "Freedom is precious and I thank God for my country."

Wynn served in the U.S. Army 26th Infantry Division with General Patton's Third Army in Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and three other battles. He was injured by shrapnel while trying to rescue a fellow soldier who was standing in shock in the middle of the road.

"I never hated it. I was afraid a lot of times. We lived with death all the time," Wynn said. "To see buddies being blown apart and killed and everything was rough."

Army Staff Sgt. W. Richard Wynn (center) salutes the flag during the singing of the national anthem during a BIg Bend Hospice Valor Ceremony honoring his time spent in WWII on March 17. Ashley White/Democrat

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For his service in World War II, Wynn was awarded a Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct medal, WWII Victory medal and the Europe, Africa Middle East Campaign medal with three battle stars.

During the ceremony at Immanuel Baptist Church, Wynn was presented a letter of gratitude, certificate of appreciation, a Hospice-veteran's lapel, a WWII medallion and a handmade Quilt of Valor. Memorabilia from his time in service, including photos, his uniform and dog tags, were on display. After the ceremony, he talked with a long line of people.

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Sevice members salute Army Staff Sgt. W. Richard Wynn (center) during during a BIg Bend Hospice Valor Ceremony honoring his time spent in WWII on March 17. (Photo: Ashley White/Democrat)

"This means so much. Dad is one of those humble people. He doesn't like attention," Bonnie Weeks, Wynn's middle child, said. "But we told him, 'you represent all those guys who didn't make it home.'"

Weeks, who's been a nurse at Big Bend Hospice for more than 14 years, said the ceremony gave Wynn an opportunity to talk about his time in the Army. She said it was like he started to remember again.

"This has been healing," Weeks said. "It validated him."

Contact Ashley White at adwhite@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @AshleyyDi.